Pharos of Alexandria: The Lighthouse as a Model
Bring lessons to life and make ancient navigation tangible. This card model kit of the Pharos of Alexandria brings a Wonder of the World into classrooms, museums, and collections. The finished architectural model illustrates the history of technology, develops fine motor skills, and sparks conversations about seafaring, Hellenism, and archaeology.
-
Contents: Pharos of Alexandria model sheet.
-
Material: Color-printed cardstock.
-
Scale: 1:250.
-
Finished dimensions: Length 20 cm, width 20 cm, height 28 cm.
-
Difficulty level: 2 (intermediate).
-
Number of sheets: 6.5 pages
Pharos of Alexandria in Historical Context
The Pharos of Alexandria is regarded as the first securely attested lighthouse in history and the youngest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It stood on the island of Pharos off the coast of Egypt at the harbor of Alexandria and was connected to the mainland by the Heptastadion. It was built in the early 3rd century BC under Ptolemy II Philadelphus; ancient authors name Sostratus of Cnidus as the architect. Sources describe its height as between about 100 and 120 meters. A fire burned in the lantern, likely intensified by a polished metal mirror. The tower served as a daymark by day and a light source by night and was therefore central to Ptolemaic trade and naval power in the eastern Mediterranean.
The term Pharos became a synonym for lighthouse in many languages, for example French phare or Italian faro. In the 14th century, two earthquakes led to its destruction; the Qāitbāy Citadel was later built on its foundations. Unlike modern lighthouses with lenses and electric illumination, ancient beacons relied on open flame and architectural visibility. This card model, with its three-tiered tower structure and warm color scheme, references iconographic evidence such as Alexandrian coinage and medieval descriptions. It is a pedagogically robust teaching aid that vividly conveys the forms, functions, and technology of the Hellenistic navigational beacon.
How to Use the Model Sheet Step by Step
-
Prepare: Protect your work surface, sort the parts, check the sequence of the illustrated assembly guide, and set out tools: scissors, craft knife, bone folder, ruler, adhesive.
-
Cut out: Cut parts cleanly along the outlines. Work small openings first, then separate the outer edges.
-
Score and fold: Pre-score fold lines with a ruler and bone folder. Fold jointly marked edges at a precise right angle.
-
Glue: Work from the base up to the lantern. Apply a thin layer of paper glue to tabs, align parts, hold briefly, and let dry.
-
Present: Mount the finished model on a base plate, label it with an info card about the Wonder of the World, and integrate it into lessons or exhibitions.
Which target groups is the model suitable for?
Ideal for schools from lower secondary level, museum education, project weeks, extracurricular clubs, as well as for ambitious beginners and advanced card modelers. Difficulty level 2 enables guided work in the classroom.
Which tools and adhesives do you recommend?
Fine scissors, craft knife, metal ruler, bone folder, and a solvent-free paper glue with a fine tip. Optionally, small amounts of wood glue and clothespins for pressing are suitable.
How long does assembly take?
Depending on experience, 1 to 1.5 hours. For class sessions, working in build teams with clearly defined tasks has proven effective.
In which language is the manual, and are there visual aids?
The kit includes a German text manual and a clear visual assembly guide. The graphical steps are easy to follow without deeper language skills.
Forum Traiani ® | We make history tangible!
